Area51 Corona Awards

Purpose | Winners | Criteria | Mistakes to Avoid in Web Design | Application form | Email entry | Return to Awards Page

The purpose of this Award
Area51/Dreamworld Illusion AwardArea51/Dreamworld Illusion Award
The Area 51 Neighborhood is among the largest in Geocities. With over 200,000 homesteaders who share the same interest in science fiction or fantasy, it is rich ground for seeing good sites. As I am a community leader in Geocities/Area51, and in the line of duty I often have to visit the sites of many members. There are those sites that are set apart from the others that make me stop and appreciate the work exhibited by the webmaster or webmistress. To award worthy pages of my fellow Geocitizens, I've designed the Area51 Corona Award. There are two classes, the normal one that is teal in color, and the elite award that cannot be applied for. Getting the Corona Award will already have meant that the recipient has a great site well worth visiting, but the Corona Elite award goes to sites that are unique and unforgettable. Consequently, not many sites will have the honor of the Elite award.

As this is an award restricted to Area51, please note that you must be applying for a site within the neighborhood. If you believe your site deserves recognition, please read the criteria first, and refer to the Mistakes to Avoid in Web Design page before applying.

The Winners
Area51 Corona Award Winners

The Criteria for applying

To apply for the Area51 Corona award, your site must satisfy the following criteria:
Originality

I've been on the net for a long while and I am always appreciative of original ideas in concept and design. A boring site is one that has had little thought and creativity invested in them, and I always close them very quickly. Sites that give me something be excited about, or piques my curiosity are the ones who will win.

Content

The site must have a central theme. No smattering of loose odds and ends all placed in one page. It also cannot be commercially oriented nor should there be any pornography and other distasteful elements within.

Style

Though content will always remain my number one consideration in giving awards, the layout and style of the site will be nearly as important. Graphics should ideally be mostly original, and the layout be distinctly unique. However, I don't ask for stunning graphics, just as long as it promotes the reading of the text and stays unobtrusively in the background, it's fine.

Function

Sites that are heavily under construction will not be considered for the award. All good sites are constantly under construction, and if you have to warn visitors about the extent of the site reconstruction, you shouldn't apply for this award yet.

Quality

Quality is the harmonic combination of all the elements that set apart average sites from superior sites. Clear navigation, clarity of writing, distinctive graphics, original ideas, and volume of content all contribute to this characteristic.

Subjectiveness

This is the one factor that you cannot control. I look for evidence of good work in the makeup of a site's design and content, and this award will reflect that. However, even someone as eclectic as I with regards to this genre of websites have my own likes and dislikes. The final decision about what to award the applicant, if any, will rest solely on whether I liked it or not.

Application form
These awards will not be given to all that apply. Please note that the site you submit MUST be a Geocities/Area51 site. Only sites that satisfy my demands for a good combination of content, functionality, and beauty will be awarded. If you believe your site meets with the above criteria, please use the form below to send in an application, or if your browser does not support forms, then email me with the following items:
  1. Your name
  2. Your email address
  3. Your site's URL
  4. Site name
  5. Short description of site
Application Form
Your site MUST be a Geocities/Area51 site to apply
Your name

Site name

URL

Email

A short description of your site

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